Page 75 of Ember Meadow
“Oh, Miles, I didn’t realize you were here. Is your father well?” Mr. Osborne says.
“He’s doing okay for now, thanks for asking, Clint.” Miles replies steadily.
My jaw snaps open. Of course Miles knows everyone around here. My mother’s horrified expression is frozen. I’m sure she’s running through every way she can save this in her head.
“As I was saying,” Miles continues. “All of that was a lie. This is her first time even seeing the Old Cabin. Katie here did all of the work, all on her own. She put her heart and soul into this place. She worked with my mom to add in the original pieces from the cabin that Florence wanted to throw away about two minutes ago. If you’re going to interview anyone, interview her. That’s Katie MacPherson, K-A-T-I-E.” Miles points to Clint’s notebook as he spells my name for him. Clint nods and jumps into action, crossing things out and furiously taking down what Miles just revealed.
“Excuse me, but I’m the owner of this company, not my daughter. If anyone gets credit for this place it’s–” Florence flusters.
“Her. It’s Katie. Not you, not your company. It may have been funded by you in some roundabout way, but she’s worked on this place nonstop for the past three months. Day and night, Katie’s been out here. And she did a damn good job, too. It’s her vision that made this place what it is now. I’m so fucking proud of what she did with my family’s cabin. And I’m proud of who she is, especially knowing she has to deal with you and all of the bullshit you’re spinning. If you were a real mother, you’d be proud of her too.”
Tears prick my eyes at Miles’s words. I can’t remember the last time anyone stood up for me. I’m not sure anyone haseverfought for me like that. I rub the ache in my chest as I feel Miles’s arm around my shoulder.
“Now, if you don’t mind, we’re having a celebration here of all of the hard work Katie and her crew went through to finish this place,” he says, stepping to the side, leaving a clear path out of the open front door.
I’ve never seen my parents speechless before. Their eyes remain on Miles, wide and disbelieving.
“How about I contact you at a different time, Katie, and we’ll see about that interview,” Clint says, stuffing his notebook into his pocket.
“Yes, that will be fine. Thank you,” I say.
I watch in shock as my parents follow him out of the cabin without a word. My father looks back at me as he steps out onto the porch. For a second I think he might say something to me, but he turns and follows my mother out into the night.
Blood pounds in my ears. What just happened?
I whip around to thank Miles, but he’s nowhere to be found. Arms wrap around my shoulders from behind me and Hazel’s voice fills the air.
“Holy shit, was that your parents? Are you okay?” She says, a little out of breath.
I search the hallway once more for any sign of Miles, but he’s gone. I have a feeling I won’t be seeing him for the rest of the night. I don’t blame him for wanting to leave after that.
“I’m fine,” I reassure Hazel, leaning into her hug.
But, fine is the farthest thing from what I’m feeling right now.
Chapter 29
One Last Time
Cups clatter into thegarbage. I tie off another bag of trash from the party, walking out of the great room and towards the front door. The screen door opens with a squeak as Hazel steps inside.
“Just about done here?” She asks.
I nod. “Yep, just got done with the trash. Miles is back in the kitchen cleaning up the floors a bit.”
“Oh really? He decided to stick around a bit andclean up?” Hazel waggles her brows, a smirk on her lips.
I roll my eyes. “I already told you, it’s not like that. That’s just Miles, he’s always offering to fix things and clean up and all that.” If only he could fix us.
“Well, if that’s all of it, I’m going to head out and give Wade a call.” She smiles at the thought of our best friend back in Idaho. “I missed a call from him earlier, and I know he’s been having some troubles getting the shop ready for the Summer’s End festival. Can Miles give you a ride back to your cabin?”
“Yeah, that’s fine. Go talk to Wade. Thanks for helping tonight, I’m so glad you were able to come out.” I give her a quick hug before she heads out the door.
As soon as the front door closes, the air is sucked out of the cabin like a vacuum. With Hazel gone, it’s just Miles and I in this cabin. MyfriendMiles.
After tonight, I’m not sure when I’ll see him again. I’m planning on heading back to Juniper Ridge tomorrow evening, then I’ll only come back once a quarter or so to check on the place. Knowing him, he’ll probably avoid me when I come up. I know I’ll be avoiding him.
I hate this. Being friends. I know it was my idea, but I’m not sure my heart can take it. It’s all or nothing with Miles. And ithasto be nothing.
